Master's Program in Chinese
Candidates for the MA in Chinese will benefit from the unparalleled quality of teaching and immersion that have characterized the Chinese School since its founding 40 years ago. The graduate curriculum in Chinese will build a bridge from theory and cultural competence to pedagogical application and practice. The degree program will consist of 12 courses and culminate in a required teaching practicum conducted at the Chinese School.
Students may choose to complete the degree over four summers on the Vermont campus, or in two summers at Middlebury with an academic year in between at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Graduate courses taught at the Chinese School will be mostly in Chinese; some Monterey courses may be offered in Chinese or in English.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a major in Chinese language (or relevant field) or course work equivalent to a major in Chinese language, and the ability to demonstrate high level of proficiency in the language. The GRE is not required. Qualified students who want to take the courses for professional development purposes, but do not seek the MA degree are also welcome to apply.
Proficiency Requirements:
- For non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 600 is required.
- For non-native speakers of Chinese, a college major in Chinese or a minimum OPI score of Intermediate High. Preference will be given to applicants with a higher score. Applicants can fulfill the requirement by: 1) submitting an official OPI score from ACTFL or 2) taking our online computer adaptive exam with a follow up speaking test with a Chinese School faculty member.
MA in Chinese: Options
- four summers at the graduate level in the Chinese School (completing a total of 12 Middlebury "units," or courses--each unit equals three credits)
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Monterey Option: one summer at the Middlebury College Chinese School, followed by one academic year at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and one final summer at the Middlebury College Chinese School
Program Details
The degree program consists of 12 courses and culminates in a required teaching practicum conducted at the Chinese School.
All students must successfully complete a preliminary summer of study in Vermont before being accepted to degree candidacy. During the initial summer, students will complete courses in pedagogy, second language acquisition, and culture and civilization, all of which will serve as prerequisites for subsequent course offerings.
Graduate courses taught at the Chinese School will be conducted in Chinese; courses in Monterey may be offered in Chinese or in English.
Summer Study in Vermont
The Chinese School is a total immersion program whereby students not only take classes, but also live on campus in dormitories and take meals in the dining halls with Chinese School students and faculty. Applicants accepted to the graduate program will be housed and take meals with the Chinese School students and faculty.
All Language Schools students agree to abide by the Language Pledge, a formal commitment to speak, listen, read, and write the language of study as the only means of communication for the entire summer session. The Language Pledge is the foundation of all of our intensive immersion programs.
Academic Year at the Monterey Institute of International Studies
The affiliation with the Monterey Institute of International Studies provides an additional option for students pursuing the Chinese M.A. degree. Candidates who are in a position to do so must spend an academic year on the Monterey campus between their initial and final summers in Middlebury, thus completing the degree in a little over two years. Here, in addition to the immersion experience at Middlebury, students can take advantage of the expertise in second language acquisition, pedagogy, and applied linguistics.
The geographic location of Monterey and the academic work being done in areas such as policy studies, business and trade, translation, interpretation, and localization, provide a unique educational experience for those interested in pursuing this track.